Electrical outlet



April 14, 1942. ,H VN GE R 2,279,383

ELECTR I CAL OUTLET Filed Apiil 24, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 1 4,1942. VON H 2,279,383

ELECTRICAL OUTLET Filed April 24, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 2 a0 3/ 2@ c: 2?1 I i .5? V

Patented Apr. 14, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELECTRICAL OUTLET George H. Von Gehr, Chicago, 111.

Application April 24, 1939, Serial No. 269,553

Claims. (01. 191-'-23) This invention relates to electrical outlets, andparticularly to continuous electrical outlets.

The continuous electrical outlet of the present invention is adapted tobe provided in strips of any desired length, having associated therewithand adjustable along such length, one or more outlet plugs which areadapted to cooperate with the usual attachment plugs connectingelectrical apparatus to a source of electrical energy.

Such a. novel continuous electrical outlet may be advantageouslyemployed in domestic or household, automotive, laboratory or otherelectrical distribution systems for providing convenient terminals forelectrical apparatus to obviate long, unsightly and awkward drop orextension cords and the dangers attending amateur wiring.

One of the difliculties encountered in prior Socalled continuouselectrical outlets is that such outlets are provided with two slotsopening directly upon electrical conductors or bus bars, thus permittingdirect electrical connection with the prongs of a conventionalattachment plug. These prior constructions are unsatisfactory in thatthey permit direct access to the electrical conductors, so that childrenare unnecessarily and dangerously exposed to electrical shocks;

In the construction of the present invention, only a single continuousslot or opening is provided along the front face of the continuouselectrical outlet, and the electrical conducting members or bus barswithin the continuous electrical outlet are positionedrelatively'remotely from the single continuous slot or opening so thataccidental connection with the current conducting members cannot be madefrom the exterior of attachment plugs may be connected to the outlet atany one time, resulting in overloading of the circuit, withcorresponding fire hazards.

The present invention is arranged to avoid such overloading of theelectrical circuit by .the pro- .vision of a definite number of outletplugs calcuplugs are operatively associated with thecontinuouselectrlcal outlet, and are adjustable substantially along theentire length of the outlet, in the single slot or opening providedtherein, thus enabling such outlet plugs to assume any desired positionalong the length of the continuous electrical outlet. The number ofoutlet plugs is predetermined by the electrical capacity of the circuitto which the continuous electrical outlet is connected, thus tending toprevent electrical 5 overloading of the circuitas a whole, while at thesame time providing great flexibility of position of the outlet plugs,since any given plug can be adjusted along substantially the entirelength of the continuous electrical outlet.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary elevation of a room employing a continuouselectrical outlet embodying the features of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged front view of a section of the continuouselectrical outlet shown in Figure 1; I

Figure 3 is an enlarged section along the lines 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure-4 is an enlarged section along the lines 3-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an enlarged section similar to that shown in Figure 3, butillustrating a modification of the invention;

Figure 6 is a' section similar to Figure 3 but showing a furthermodification of the invention;

and I Figure '7 is a section of one portion of the continuous electricaloutlet shown in Figure 3.

The invention comprises a continuous electrical outlet strip having asingle continuous opening or slot therein adapted to receive one or moreoutlet plugs, each of which is adjustable throughout substantially .theentire length of the outlet strip. g

The outlet strip may be formed'of electrical insulating material such asa rubber, or it may be formed of non-insulating material such as metal,

with the interior thereof electrically insulated. -Also the outlet stripmay be of rigid construction or it may be flexible so as to enable it tobe bent upon itself to conform to the wall surface to which it is to beattached, and also to enable the flexible strip to be rolled upon itselfand sold onthe market in rolls.

Referring to Figure 1, various electrical appliances, such as-a radio l6and a lamp I I may be arranged at any desired location in a room,irrespective of the'location of the outlet liand may be supplied withelectrical energy through cables or cords l8 having conventionalattachment plugs 19 by plugging in a continuous cut let 2| secured tosupporting surfaces or walls 22. The continuous outlet 2| is energizedfrom the tinuous slot-or opening 25.

house wiring system by, for example, a cord 28 having aconventional'attachment plug 24 at' two continuous electrical conductorsor bus bars 28 mounted in .the interior thereof adjacent to butprotected from direct exposure to the con- The conductors 26 comprisecopper strips or wires mounted in the outlet strip for electricalcontact with the cooperating conducting members 21 on the outlet plug28, but sufficiently inaccessible to the single continuous slot 25 inthe front face of the outlet strip 2| so that objects accidentally ormischievously inserted in the slot 25 will not contact the copper stripsor bars 26.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 3, the copper strips.or bars 26 are mounted to face the front of the device. The

ends of the copper strips or bars can be bent over-the ends of theoutlet strip and fastened thereto in any suitable manner, for example bythe use of the usual fastening members such as nails, screws or thelike, or by bonding the copper strips or bars to the outlet strip bymeans of cement or the like. Also the copper strips or 'bars may bebonded throughout their length or at spaced intervals along their lengthto the outlet strip by cement or the like, or in any other known manner.

The outlet strip 2| is arranged so that the I outlet plugs 28 can beinserted into the outlet strip at, for example, an end thereof. The endsof the strip are closed by detachable end plates 29. Thus a given numberof outlet plugs 28 may be inserted in the outlet strip, 2|, dependingupon the electrical capacity of the circuit to which the strip isattached, thus tending to prevent electrical overloading while at thesame time providing great flexibility of position of the outlet plugs,since any given plug can be adjusted along substantially the entirelength of the strip.

The back of the strip may be open and can be attached directly to thewall structure 22, or a backing plate 38' can be provided for the outletstrip. The outlet strip 2| or the backing plate 30 together with theoutlet strip 2| can be fastened to the wall structure 22, in any knownmanner, for example by nails, screws or the like 8|.

If desired, the outlet strip can be constructed in two sections, asshown in Figure 7, each section 32a carryingone of the conductors or busbars 26 and each section being adapted tobe The outlet plug 28 isadapted at its inner end by means of contact members 21 to provideelectrical connectionwith the conductors or bus bars 26 in the outletstrip 2|. The outer face of the outlet plug 28 is provided with theusual two openings 32 adapted to receive the usual prongs 33 of theconventional attachment plug 24. The outlet plug 28 has a restrictedportion 34 intermediate'its two ends adapted. to pass through the singlecontinuous slot 25 in the outlet strip 2|, and an enlarged portion 36carrying contact electrically with one of the conductors or bus bars 26within the outlet strip. The neck portion 34 of the outlet plug 28 issquare, rectangular or other suitable shapeto prevent the plug 28 fromturningor rotating in the slot 25.

The outlet plug 28 is pressed by a spring 31 in a direction to.causeelectrical contact between the contact members 21 on the plug 28 and theconductors or bus bars 28 within the continuous outlet strip 2|. Theoutlet plug 28 fits sufliciently loosely within the opening or slot 25in the continuous outlet strip so that it may be moved-outwardly out ofcontact with the conductors or bus bars 26 in the continuous strip 2|,against the pressure of the spring 31, and adjusted to any positionalong the continuous electrical outlet 2|, and when released, the spring31 will again automatically press the contact member 21 on the outletplug into 8 electrical contact with the conductors or bus bars 26 withinthe continuous outlet strip. Alternatively, the outlet plug can beadjusted along the slot 25 merely by sliding the plug 28 and the contactmembers 21 mounted thereon, along the surface of the conductors or busbars 2B.-

If desired, the outlet strip can ,be extended forwardly as shown indotted lines in Figure 3, and designated by the numeral 38, so as tocomplement the outer surface of the plug 28. The portion 38 may extendfor the entire depth of the plug 28 or any portion of the depth-of theplug 28, depending upon the desired appearance the two contact members21, each adapted to of the composite structure, and upon whether theoutlet strip 2| will be set into a recess in the supporting or wallstructure 22 or mounted upon 'the surface thereof.

Figure 5 shows'a modification of the construction of the outlet plug 28in which the electrical conductors or bus bars 40 are mounted so thatone of the electrical conductors or bus bars faces upwardly and theother faces downwardly for electrical contact with cooperating inclinedelectrical contact members 4| on the plug 28. When thus mounted, theconductors or bus bars 40 can be mounted at a slight angle from thehorizontal so that the contact members 4| on the outlet plug are pressedinto contact with the conductors or bus bars 40 by means of'the spring43. In this way the contact members 4| are moved by spring pressure intowedging electrical contact with the conductors orbus bars 40 and thusimprove the electrical contact between the same. In all other respectsthe outlet strip and the outlet plug are the same as in the constructionillustrated in Figure 3. In this embodiment the contact members 4|slidealong the surface of the inclined conductors 40 as the outlet plug28 is adjusted along the length of the outlet strip,

or conversely, suflicient clearance is provided so that the plug 28 canbe moved slightly outwardly, against the pressure of the spring 43,.

' and thereafter move along the length of the outlet strip while thecontact members 4| are out of contact with the conductors 40, the sameas explained in connection with the construction shown in Figure 3.

Figure 6 discloses a further modification of the invention in which theconductors in the outlet stri are in the form of circular condudtors orwires 5|. These wires ar adapted to cooperate with rollers 52 to provideelectrical connection between the conductors 5| andthe outlet plug 28.The rollers 52 are mounted bymeans of springs 53 which press the rollers52 into good electrical contact with the circular conductors or wires Inthis embodiment the rollers 52 roll over the circular conductors orwires 5| as the outlet plug 28 is adjusted along the length r of thecontinuous outlet. In all other respects the construction shown inFigure 6 is the same as shown in Figure 3' except that no additionalspring means need be provided in view of the fact that the rollers 52are pressed against the circular conductors or wires 5| by the leafsprings 53 by which they are supported. It will be appreciated of coursethat instead of using fiat conductors 2G in Figure 3,, or conductors 40as shown in Figur 5, circular conductors 01' wires could .be employed,and the same sliding contact could be made with these circularconductors in the manner explained in connection with Figures 3 and 5,

In each of the three embodiments, it will be understood that themoulding strip 2| may be made of rubber, a rubber composition, or someother insulating material such as wood or Bakelite. In the case ofrubber, the rubber may be of a resilient type, thereby providingelasticity by which the conductors 26, 48 or 5| may be pressed againstthe cooperating contact members 2], M or 52 and in this way supplementthe pressure supplied by the springs 31, 43 or 53.

it is desirable to distribute electrical energy to a number ofelectrical appliances.

Various changes in the specific construction and arrangement of theparts will be apparent to one skilled in the art, and accordingly nolimitation is to be understood from the specific disclosure of theinvention, except as hereinafter set forth in the claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed and desired tosecure by .United States Letters Patent is:

l. A continuous electrical outlet comprising a strip of flexibleinsulating material having a slot of uniform width throughout extendinglongitudinally of the strip and adapted to receive at least one outletplug capable of adjustment sub- The continuous electrical outlet'alreadydescribed is adapted to be provided in strips of any desired length anda number of such strips may be electrically connected togetherend-to-end, in coaxial relationship, or in angular relationship to suitthe particular configuration of the surface to which the electrifiedmoulding or continuous outlet is attached. The electrical connectionbetween successive lengths of the electrical moulding can be effected bysoldering or connecting together in any known manner adjacent edges of Vthe conductors 26. Of course where two successive lengths are positionedadjacent toeach other, the detachable end plates between these twosuccessive lengths can be omitted.

In those embodiments of the invention in which circular conductors,wires or other flexible conductors are employed as the conductors forthe outlet strip, and where such flexible conductors are used inconjunction with a strip of flexible rubber, the composite structurewill be flexible. Accordingly, such a structure can berecess-and'operatively associated with said plug tween said contactdefining therebetween a slot of uniform width made to conform to thesupporting or wall f structure to which it is attached, withoutrequiring connections between successive lengths, as the entire outletcan be made in a single length,

' and conformed to th various variations and corners in the supportingor wall structure. Furthermore, where the composite outlet is a flexiblecomposite structure, the entire structure can be arranged in rolls,which will facilitate its transportation and sale to the general public.It will be appreciated of course that such composite flexible structureneed not have the outlet'plugs 28 applied thereto while the structure.is in the 4 where attaching surfaces are provided and wherestantially'throughout the length of said slot,

electrical conductors supported by said strip within said slot, saidoutlet plug having contactmembers cooperating with said electricalconductors, said outlet plug having means for preventing rotary movementof said plug as it is being adjusted along the length of said slot;resilient means arranged within said strip and operatively associatedwith said plug for urging said plug in a direction to enhance theelectrical contact between said contact members and the electricalconductors.

2. A continuous electrical outleticom'prising a strip of insulatingmaterial having a slot extending longitudinally thereof and adapted toreceive at least one outlet plug capable of adjustment substantiallythroughout the length of said slot, electrical conductors supportedbysaid strip within said slot, said outlet plug having contact memberscooperating with said electrioal conductors, said outlet plug beingcapable of limited movement transversely of said strip relative to saidslot in a direction toward and away from said conductors, a recessextending longitudinally of the strip along the back face thereof, andspring means arranged within said for drawing jsaidplug inwardly in saidslot in a direction to enhance the electrical contact beconductors.

3. a continuous electrical outlet comprising a strip of .yieldableinsulating material composed of two parallel 'symmetrical'separablesections extending longitudinally of'the strip and adapted non-rotatablybut slidably to receiveat least one outlet plug capable of adjustmentsubstantiallythroughout the length of said slot, a pair ofelectricalconductors each supported by one of said strip sections, saidoutlet plug having a portion engaging behind said slot and ofgreaterwidth than said slot and having contact members cooperating with saidelectrical conductors, said electrical conductors being yieldablysupported by said strip sections whereby they are yieldably urged towardsaid contact members.

' 4. A continuous electrical outlet comprising a strip of insulatingmaterial composed -of two parallel symmetrical separable sections, eachsection having a sloping surface and supporting thereon an electricalconductor extending longitudinally of such section, said sectionsdefining therebetween a slot "extending longitudinally of the strip andadapted to receive at least one outlet plug capable of adjustmentsubstantially throughout the length of said slot, said-sloping surfacesconverging toward the forward face or members and said electrical thestrip, said outlet plug having contact members inclined parallel to thesloping surfaces of said sections and cooperating with said electricalconductors, and spring means arranged between said strip sections andoperatively associated with said outlet plug to urge the same relativeto said strip sections in a direction to,

enhance the contact between said contact members and said electricalconductors.

5. A continuous electrical outlet according to claim 4, wherein-said twosections are of identical cross-sectional contour.

6. A continuous electrical outlet comprising a strip of insulatingmaterial having a single slot extending longitudinally of the strip andadapted to receive at least one outlet plug capable oi adjustmentsubstantially throughout the length of said slot, said strip supportingwithin said slot electrical conductors extending lengthwise of saidslot, said conductors having within said slot exposed surfaces inclinedtoward each other and converging toward the entry end of said slot, saidoutlet plug having contact members inclined similarly to said exposedsurfaces for electrical engagement therewith, said plug beingnon-rotatably and non-removably associated with said slot, and means insaid slot for resiliently urging said contact members into electricalengagemen with said exposed surfaces. I

7. A continuous electrical outlet comprising a strip of flexibleinsulating material having a slot extending. longitudinally of the stripand adapted to receive at least one outlet plug capable oi adjustmentsubstantially throughout the length of said slot, a pair of flexibleelectrical conductors supported by said strip within said slot inmutually insulated relationship, said outlet plug having openings at oneend for receiving the prongs of a conventional attachment plug, saidoutlet plu'g having contact members at 'its other end cooperating withsaid electrical conductors. and resilient means arranged within saidstrip and operatively associated with said plug for urging said plug ina direction to enhance the elec- I tors.

trical contact between said contact members and said flexibleconductors.

8. A continuous electrical outlet according to claim 3, wherein said twostrip sections are of identical cross-sectional contour.

9. A continuous electrical outlet comprising a strip of insulatingmaterial having a single .slot extending longitudinally of the strip andadapted to receive at least one outlet plug capable of adjustmentsubstantially throughout the length of said slot, said strip including aportion having oppositely inclined faces within said slot convergingtoward the inlet end of said slot, said portion supporting electricalconductors extending longitudinally of said slot, each of saidconductors being exposed to said slot at one of said oppositely inclinedfaces, said outlet plug having contact members inclined similarly tosaid oppositely inclined faces of the strip for electrical engagementwith said conductors. and means in said slot operatively associated withsaid plugfor urging said plug in a direction causing said contactmembers to ride -up on said oppositely inclined faces of the strip so asto enhance the electrical engagement of said contact members with saidelectrical conductors.

10. A continuous electrical outlet comprising a strip of insulatingmaterial having a slot extending longitudinally of the strip and adaptedto receive at least one outlet plug capable of adjustment substantiallythroughout the length of said slot, said outlet plug having a portion ofinsulating material passing through said slot and carryingcontactmembers, electrical conductors supported by said strip within said slotand extending lengthwise thereof, said conductors having contact facespositioned on an incline relative to each other and converging towardthe entry end of said slot, the ends of said contact members beingrelatively rigid and directed substantially parallelto said contactfaces for electrical engagement with said electrical conduc- GEORGE H.VON GEHR.

